DopeNation believe Ghana’s music has the potential to command global attention, but only if artistes start thinking beyond the country’s borders.
The identical twin duo, Michael and Tony Boafo, told Graphic Showbiz that Ghanaian acts can break into international markets by infusing homegrown culture into global music waves. They see genre exploration, such as tapping into the Amapiano sound, not as a loss of identity, but as a strategic expansion of it.
“Thinking globally means being open to new styles and stepping outside one’s comfort zone. Not just Amapiano, but any sound that is gaining recognition worldwide. If we want to go global, we need to think globally, which means moving out of our local space,” they said.
That philosophy drives their latest project, Ghanapiano. More than an album title, it’s the name of a movement — a Ghanaian interpretation of the hugely popular Amapiano genre sweeping across Africa. The work fuses the infectious rhythms of Amapiano with Ghana’s cultural DNA, producing a hybrid sound that feels both distinctly local and continentally connected.
“We are already unique due to our culture. Ghanapiano adds to this dynamism. We are using it as a bridge between Ghana and the rest of Africa. While Amapiano differs from our local Ghanaian sound, Ghanapiano merges both into one,” they explained.
For DopeNation, music is as much about representation as it is about rhythm. “It’s clear that we are Ghanaian and rich in our unique sound. It is only right to promote our culture, as we have been inspired by various types of music in Ghana. It’s essential to push our sound and culture through Ghanapiano.
“In addition to spreading good energy and vibes, Ghanapiano fosters a sense of community and connection between us and our fans. This will lead to not just a genre, but a catalogue of works that will enhance concerts, festivals and employment opportunities,” they shared.
Asked what they would prioritise if tasked with reshaping Ghana’s music industry, their answer was immediate: empower the beatmakers. “That’s a broad question but we believe we should focus more on producers because supporting them is crucial for strengthening the entire industry. They are the source of the music. Once they are supported, everything else will fall into place,” the brothers said.
